Friday, June 19, 2009

Thomas Greither, our most recent customer, decided to assemble his kit at the Commuter Cars factory. It only took him a few hours one evening and the next morning, and before noon he was driving his Tango side by side with another Tango for nearly 30 miles down the freeway and back.

He simply had the suppliers of the other major components, drivetrain and battery box, shipped to Commuter Cars where it all sat waiting for him to assemble. Not being a mechanic, it was nice for him to have, not only the facility, but also the expertise close at hand for any questions.

Here's what Thomas had to say:

Day one with the Tango.

It is truly exciting to see a car so well built. Quality is the middle name of the Tango. Everything is perfectly executed in the minutest detail. Finally an electric car that is fun to drive, practical, and handles like a go-cart with outstanding acceleration. When you roll the windows down it is like driving a convertible with a sunshade over your head.

Customer receiving instruction on assembly of rear suspension.

Customer installing rear suspension.

Trailing arm with complete drive assembly, now in place; brake lines fitted and brakes bled; drivetrain's pre-wired 8 power cables now connected inside under the seat, panhard bar, and one shock mounted. Only one shock to go and he's ready to install the battery box.

Moving 1,200 lb battery box into place so that Tango body can be lowered onto it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Another satisfied customer! Thomas Greither test drives his new blue Tango in Spokane WA. Here are a few photos of it on the road. A bright orange Tango kit is in process and will soon be sent to another buyer. We will update soon with some photos.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Commuter Cars' Tango is excited to have been accepted as part of Progressive Insurance AutomotiveX-PRIZE Games, to be held in spring/summer of 2010. Over 100 teams, ranging from students to start-up companies to large manufacturers are competing.

The goal of the X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break the global addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change. A ten million dollar cash purse will be awarded to the teams that win long-distance races for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 miles-per-gallon energy equivalent.

Step 1:Teams are accepted for the X-PRIZE competition based on preliminary information about their entry.

Step 2 (now):Accepted teams provide evidence that their vehicle or designs are production capable. Those that pass will be invited to the competition events.

Step 3: The Races (May-August 2010 - open to the public)Those that pass preliminary safety tests will participate in competition events, which include:

PIAXPStage Race, high-mileage race comprising stages in up to ten cities or locations, to be determined. Statistically, the overall course will reflect known consumer driving patterns,incorporating a variety of realistic and performance-illustrating driving conditions, terrains, and trip profiles. Vehicles will race rally-style over closed public roads and on one or more closed tracks. Vehicles must obey all traffic regulations, including speed limits. The Race will enable fair, technology-neutral comparisons of vehicles while maximizing public impact.

A “knockout” qualifying event will be held to admit vehicles to the final race stages. To advance, vehicles must pass a full set of active safety performance tests, demonstrate Tier 2, Bin 10 criteria emissions, and demonstrate at least 67 MPGe. The knockout event will be conducted at a suitable test track or proving ground, and will be open to the public and the media.

After a 2-4 week hiatus to prepare for the final events, there will be four to six on-road or track stages, with additional performance tests and a dynamometer stage occurring roughly midway. The competition will also include high-profile non-scoring stages, including a hill climb, maximum distance (“drive-till-you-drop”), and top speed runs.

We're excited because the Tango is the ONLY vehicle narrow enough to traverse the densest traffic, and is probably one of the fastest and most stable vehicles on the road. (Yes, stable, due to overwhelming low center of gravity.)